Working Time saga set to continue

So, the saga of working time will continue (see my blog of monday).

Parliament today amended, instead of approved, Council's position, which means no legislation has been adopted. Instead, negotiations continue to seek a solution acceptable to both Parliament and Council.

In Britain, the trade unions, doctors, the BMA and others are happy with the amendments adopted by Parliament, while the government, the CBI and many businesses are not. However, all must now focus on seeking the agreement necessary for legislation to be adopted, with the give and take that that implies.

CBI should stand up for Europe at home and abroad

In the British debates on Europe, the CBI often keeps its head below the parapet. For example, during the debate surrounding the Lisbon Treaty, they were happy with the UK protocol relating to the Charter of Rights but refused to publicly endorse the treaty despite getting what they wanted.

But at European level, with its sister organisations from across Europe, it's less reticent. Their recent publication, "Successful companies for a successful Europe", comments that "ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is important to ensure it [the EU] remains operational".

It goes on to state that European companies, "want to convey a political vision to strengthen Europe by pursuing its integration process" adding that "Europe is the right dimension for addressing tomorrow's big challenges in trade, energy, environment or immigration, and for creating the best conditions for economic growth".

It also points out that:

*In 1957 the six founding countries of the EEC represented 15% of global GDP. Today, even with the rapid economic growth in India and China, the EU accounts for 20% of total GDP.

*The EU is the largest economic market in the world and the largest exporter.

*The EU-27 is characterised by "wealth creation created by European companies, high level social protection, political stability and strong democratic institutions".

Let's hope the CBI breaks its vow of silence on Europe by saying this more loudly at home, not just abroad.

Good to see the CBI is not following the path that some eurosceptic businessmen are trying to push it down. For the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, it has joined with its counterparts in other European countries to issue a statement to mark the occasion, in which it says:

"The Treaty of Rome laid the foundations for one of the most prosperous and safe regions in the world. Business has always beleived in the European project and has supported it because of the benfits it brings to society as a whole.

Peace, stability, creation of an internal market where persons, services, goods and capital can move freely, political and economic integration, common currency, international standing are some of the benfits of Europe which speak for themselves."